Virgin Trains catering strike ‘rock solid’ says RMT

Publication Date: April 24 2007

STRIKE ACTION by catering workers employed by Virgin Trains at Liverpool Lime Street has been “rock solid,” Britain’s biggest rail union RMT said today.

More than 70 workers walked out for 24 hours this morning to demand the re-instatement of three colleagues, including an RMT rep, sacked in spurious circumstances after a row over alleged bullying.

"The case against the three proved to be flimsy, unsubstantiated and consisted mainly of second hand tittle-tattle provided by a consultancy firm employed by Virgin themselves," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

"Sadly, this issue is more to do with trumped-up charges, management intimidation and the singling out of a trade union representative than it is to do with natural justice. It's all about reminding people who is boss," Bob Crow added.

Virgin today staffed trains out of Lime Street with managers, some of whom do not possess a food hygiene certificate, acting as chefs and stewards. Among these are the investigating officer from the disciplinary process, the dismissing officer and a Virgin press officer.

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